09/17/2003 | W6KA For KG6KJN and I it was our second time contesting. We used our club call W6KA from the Pasadena Radio Club. Our first attempt was earlier in the year so we knew what we were doingwrong.

This time we out later than expected and did not bring any lights as last time we quit in the day timeflashlights now added to our checklist. We now have our locations marked as waypoints on the GPS to keep me from driving in circles.

Although we only worked the contest one day we were surprised by the propagation on the higher bands. Stations were stronger on 2 Meters and 70CM than 6 Meters. Hope the bands start to get better next year.

We were on 6, 2, and 432 with an FT 847. For 1296 we used an IC 910H. Antennas were 3 elements on 6M, 5 elements on 2M and 432. 1296 we used a 14-element yagi. All supported by three 5-foot mast sections. All coax was LMR 400.

Eli and I wish to thank the trustee, Paul Gorden, for the use of the club call W6KA.

We are still learning but most important for the weekend is that we had FUN.
-- KJ6NO